Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly

· Abrams
4.8
13 reviews
Ebook
320
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

The essential account of R. Kelly’s actions and their consequences, a reckoning two decades in the making

In November 2000, Chicago journalist and music critic Jim DeRogatis received an anonymous fax that alleged R. Kelly had a problem with “young girls.” Weeks later, DeRogatis broke the shocking story, publishing allegations that the R&B superstar and local hero had groomed girls, sexually abused them, and paid them off. DeRogatis thought his work would have an impact. Instead, Kelly’s career flourished.

No one seemed to care: not the music industry, not the culture at large, not the parents of numerous other young girls. But for more than eighteen years, DeRogatis stayed on the story. He was the one who was given the disturbing videotape that led to Kelly’s 2008 child pornography trial, the one whose window was shot out, and the one whom women trusted to tell their stories—of a meeting with the superstar at a classroom, a mall, a concert, or a McDonald’s that forever warped the course of their lives.

Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly is DeRogatis’s masterpiece, a work of tenacious journalism and powerful cultural criticism. It tells the story of Kelly’s career, DeRogatis’s investigations, and the world in which the two crossed paths, and brings the story up to the moment when things finally seem to have changed. Decades in the making, this is an outrageous, darkly riveting account of the life and actions of R. Kelly, and their horrible impact on dozens of girls, by the only person to tell it.

Ratings and reviews

4.8
13 reviews
R. “Robeeno” L.
September 7, 2019
This story is very long winded and I did skip some paragraphs/pages. However, this was very informative and the author was very knowledgeable. I appreciated all the fact checking that was done. Because I follow this case, I now can distinguish facts from fiction. As a parent, I'm so glad this case was a passion of the author to help take Kelly down!!!!!! I was turned off by Kelly years ago when the 1st tape came out. He may mot have been convicted in court but in mind he was guilty just like I KNOW for a fact he's guilty now. Some of those girls might not be telling the full truth but I doubt very seriously if ALL of those girls are LYING! The book........JOB WELL DONE😉
2 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
John Glynn
October 18, 2019
A wonderfully written book about a horribly repulsive man. I feel sorry for all the victims for it taking so long to bring this monster to justice. Congrats to Jim DeRogatis for never giving up the fight and giving a voice to the voiceless!
1 person found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Lisa Golden
June 18, 2019
so many details and so much the 1st jury didn't hear so they could make an informed verdict a page Turner and excellent investigating
1 person found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?

About the author

Jim DeRogatis is an associate professor of instruction at Columbia College Chicago and the host, with Greg Kot, of the nationally syndicated public radio show Sound Opinions. The author of Let it Bleed: The Life and Times of Lester Bangs and other books, he spent 15 years as the pop music critic at the Chicago Sun-Times. He lives in Chicago.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.